Exciting new layout in a bespoke yacht

By Andy Adams

Last August, we were again invited to the Neptunus Yachts facility in St. Catharines, Ontario to run and review their latest yacht, a 202650E at their marina by Lake Ontario. Keen readers of Canadian Yachting might recall reading about a Neptunus 650 back in 2016 and while this is the same proven hull, Neptunus is a custom builder and the 2022 650E here has a totally new interior design and layout.

Neptunus builds bespoke yachts. The reality is that no two Neptunus Yachts are the same. Each is individually tailored to its owners tastes and activities and is finished to their specifications. Aside from adding a SeaKeeper Gyro stabilizer (if an owner wanted one), there are virtually no options and no upgrades – it’s always a complete yacht with best of the best from Neptunus.

Jan Willem De Jong, Managing Director at Neptunus met us at their marina in St. Catharines and the boat was ready to go when we arrived. The Neptunus 650E lists at $4.3 million Canadian, complete and even from a distance, it’s easy to see where the money goes.

From the quayside, the custom stainless-steel hardware glistens, the teak strip decking is beautifully laid and half an inch thick, not a quarter like most production boats. You can’t see the thickness, but you feel it as you step onboard. You certainly see the eight massive mooring cleats and the cross-tie cleats at the stern. The heavy-duty railings and other touches like lighted stairs add to the substantial feeling.

This view from the cockpit bench seat forward, shows the sliding bulkhead doors open revealing the new galley-aft layout and the island with the leaf folded down; one gracious entertaining space.

The carbon fibre hydraulic swim platform is very large and can carry an 850-pound dinghy, but our test boat was not so equipped. The owner has a waterfront home in Florida and he plans to use his new 650E as a dayboat for entertaining friends and family. This swim platform really is for swimming and relaxing.

Cockpit

A few steps up is the cockpit with a large curving aft bench seat around an elegant high-gloss mahogany table on stainless-steel stanchions. The area can be protected by an electric shade when desired.

This 650E has an entirely new galley-aft interior layout with a centre walk-around island. Making best use of the wide 16’7” beam, the spacious cockpit is wide open to the galley and the living space flows seamlessly from inside to outside.

On the port side credenza, the Jura Coffee centre enjoys pride of place.

Three leather chairs on stainless-steel pedestal bases can be moved from their usual location at the galley island, out into the cockpit as the island countertop swings up extending out into the cockpit, enhancing the social flow and expanding the serving or food preparation space. In the cockpit, there is a wet bar, BBQ grill and seating for six at the table.

Salon

As you enter the salon, there is a sweeping portside credenza with a beverage centre and a barista-quality Jura coffee centre as well as abundant storage space, all handy to the galley and the cockpit. Neptunus has built a huge Sony flat-screen into a custom black finished wooden surround making it a piece of the furniture not simply a TV and it has the cool feature of a special blue light behind it reflecting on the interior side. The Bose 5.1 surround sound system is installed under the TV and there's also a Fusion stereo system for the outside music. All of the interior blinds are Hunter Douglas products.

The cabinetry is stunning with the doors and drawers all in matched grain walnut under fourteen coats of glorious high-gloss varnish. The walnut cabinetry and trim continues throughout the yacht even around the windows. Materials and workmanship are all first-class, particularly the custom hardware. The most impressive example might be the many well-placed stainless-steel handrails that are wrapped in French-stitched leather that matches the leather seating.

An L-shaped sofa on the starboard side of the salon includes removable armrests (should you want to stretch out and nap) and the custom glass coffee table houses two matching hassocks that can be relocated as seating or footrests, both have storage inside. There is lots of side glass to bring in the daylight, some opening and screened. Recessed LEDs in the ceiling are for night time and the massive electric sunroof brings the outside in during good days. Easy-care hardwood flooring completes the space.

The expanse of counter space and the elegant Fisher & Paykel appliances would delight any chef.

Neptunus has put all the power switches beside the cockpit door so that you can turn it all off as you leave. The big glass door has triple slides and screens. It's a work of art in stainless steel and glass.

Galley

The chef will love the new galley-aft layout aboard the Neptunus 650E which is very sunny and social as well as beautifully equipped. Appliances are all Fisher & Paykel with 4-burner ceramic induction stove top, convection microwave, dishwasher, stainless-steel refrigerator/freezer and icemaker as well as the beverage centre opposite in the credenza. Counters are quartz and the 650E has lots of counter space as well as on the matching island for food prep and serving.

Throughout the Neptunus 650E, all the drawers have soft-close and the galley island has lots of storage inside. The deep stainless-steel sink and stove top have fiddles.

Dinette

At the forward end of the salon to port is the dinette, raised slightly for a lovely view. The versatile galley island stools can be raised and relocated here to give spacious seating for six. Storage is included under the side seating and there are even three drawers built into the base. The table folds out to make a generous dining table.

With the dinette to port and the L-shaped white leather couch on starboard, there is generous living space and grand views out.

Cabins

Down a few steps in the atrium under the huge windshield are the cabins with a Guest Stateroom in the bow, Mid-cabin to starboard and then the Master Stateroom aft. Each cabin has an ensuite head with the Mid-cabin head serving as the day head. All cabins have hanging lockers and generous storage but the Master is truly a gracious size and layout with elegant dressers port and starboard, a walk-in closet, two hanging closets, large hull side windows with opening ports to make this quite bright in daytime and there’s a 40” TV, stereo and more. The Master head has a separate home-sized shower stall and a remarkable polished single-piece ceramic wall.

We should mention that there are a washer and dryer set built into the atrium.

The entrance to the Master Stateroom looking aft shows the magnifi cent high-gloss cabinetry, generous closet and bureau space and the en suite head beyond that.

Additionally, the 650E has a separate Crew cabin, also with washroom, TV and storage and that has Engine room access. The engine room is beautifully rigged and finished with full standing height and great organization for serious ocean cruising.

The Neptunus 650E is built to CE Category “A” – Certified Ocean Vessel standards and the construction includes using vacuum infusion and strategic use of Kevlar and carbon fibre for added strength and lighter weight.

Helm

The helm is located on the starboard side of the salon behind massive windshield sections with equally large Hepworth wipers. As you would expect, the Neptunus 650E has the latest in safety and convenience with dual Raymarine 16” multi-function displays that have Clear Cruise Augmented Reality, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g50hDPvhk_M ) to make navigation easier and more safe. There is a powerful radar system, separate display for speed, depth and wind as well as Simrad Autopilot and much more. 

The twin CAT C18 ACERT engines and their controls, including the electric steering, are unexpectedly  light and easy to use. The throttle control is best adjusted with a touch of the button that takes the big CATs up or down 50 rpm at each press. The leather helm seats are supremely comfortable and there’s a nice footrest as well, but typically, you would set your course and let the Neptunus take you there.  Also, the companion seat swivels to become one of the salon seats – a clever use of space.

The Neptunus 650E is so easy to drive. From departing the dock using the Yacht Controller system that allows precise control, to running in the open seas, the 650E surges forward with a smooth determination that will make the miles glide past. At 80% power, it cruises at 27 knots (over 31 mph) but it feels like it’s loafing. Maximum is 33 knots or almost 38 mph. The ride is very comfortable for everyone onboard.

Overall, the hull design and mechanical aspects are simply top-notch and the bespoke finishes and details will always be appreciated. Visit the Neptunus website www.neptunusyachts.com for a 360 degree video tour to see more details.

SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINES: Twin CAT C18 ACERT Tier 3 diesel, 1,136 bhp, inline 6-cylinder, 4-stroke 18.1 litre displacement turbo diesels.

Yacht is equipped with 15HP Side Power front and rear proportional thrusters with 5-stage Dock Hold Position, and a Yacht Controller system with remote

PERFORMANCE

Cruising Speed: 27 knots (31.07 mph)

Maximum speed 33 knots (37.97 mph)

Length (OA): 66’4” / 20.11 m

Beam: 16’7” / 4.87 m

Displacement: 77,000 lbs / 34,926 kg

Fuel Capacity: 1,100 gal / 4163.9 L

Water Capacity: 300 gal / 1,135.6 L

Waste Capacity: 130 gal / 492.1 L

Price: $4.3 million Canadian as reviewed

Boat and pricing supplied by: Neptunus Yachts, www.neptunusyachts.com

Orignally published in Canadian Yachting's February 2022 Edition